UHURU ORDERS HIS MINISTERS TO RESIGN

BY FRANCIS MUREITHI

PRESIDENT-elect Uhuru Kenyatta has asked all ministers and assistant ministers elected to Parliament or county assemblies under the Jubilee coalition to resign .

Last week President Kibaki ordered all ministers who had been elected to as governors, senators or national assembly members to resign to quit the Cabinet.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Raila Odinga said the instruction was unconstitutional and told ODM ministers not to resign and remain in office, even if they had been elected to Parliament or had become governors.

Raila argues that Kibaki is now a caretaker president and cannot appoint or dismiss ministers or public officers.

Uhuru's move, according to inside sources, is primarily aimed at embarrassing Raila by making it appear that he is not adhering to the new constitution.

Section 152 (3) of the constitution bars any Member of Parliament from serving as a cabinet minister.

There have been 94 ministers in the last government and after the resignations, 20 ministers and 31 assistant ministers will remain.

Ministers and assistant ministers elected under Jubilee coalition have indicated that they will officially resign their Cabinet positions between Monday and Wednesday.

The main parties in Jubilee coalition are Uhuru's TNA and URP headed by deputy president elect William Ruto.

Most Jubilee coalition ministers have already instructed their personal assistants to prepare their letters of resignation to be officially handed to President Kibaki from Monday.

“I have my letter ready. It is only that I have not been in office to sign it and forward it to his Excellency,” said Special Programmes minister Esther Murugi who was re-elected as Nyeri Town MP on a TNA ticket.

She confirmed that ministers have until Wednesday to tender their resignation to Kibaki who is the appointing authority.

“We have received such communication from our party leadership,” said the Justice assistant minister Cheptumo who is now Baringo North MP-elect.

On Thursday, President Kibaki ordered the first sitting of the National Assembly and Senate be held on Thursday March 28, where speakers for both houses will be elected and all members sworn in. The National Assembly will sit at the Parliament Buildings while Senate will sit at KICC.

Nairobi Metropolitan minister Jamleck Kamau, now Kigumo MP-elect, is expected to resign on Monday.

Gender minister Naomi Shaban, now Taita Taveta MP-elect, is expected to relinquish her cabinet position on Tuesday, along with Internal Security minister Katoo ole Metito.

Livestock Development minister Mohammed Kuti, now Isiolo senator elect, will resign on Monday, while Energy minister Kiraitu Murungi, now Meru senator elect, and Defense minister Yusuf Haji are expected to resign on Wednesday.

“Some of the ministers have asked to be given up to the last day which is Wednesday so that they can clear a few things at their offices, and this has been agreed,” said a source at the Office of the President.

Meru governor elect Peter Munya, Runyenjes MP elect Cecily Mbarire, Kajiado North MP elect Moses Ole Sakuda are expected to resign any day from Monday. They are all assistant ministers.

Labour minister John Munyes, now Turkana senator-elect, and Public Health minister Beth Mugo, nominated to the Senate, will also resign.

Cabinet ministers allied to Cord are not intending to resign until a new president is sworn in.

Cord ministers asked to resign include Kakamega governor-elect Wycliffe Oparanya (Planning), Bungoma senator-elect Moses Wetangula (Trade), Homabay senator-elect Otieno Kajwang (Immigration), Rongo MP-elect Dalmas Otieno (Public Service), Siaya senator-elect James Orengo (Lands), Kilifi governor-elect Amason Kingi (Fisheries), Kisumu senator-elect Peter Anyang' Nyong’o (Medical Services), Kisii senator elect Chris Obure (Public Works), Funyula MP-elect Paul Otuoma (Local government), and Budalangi MP-elect Ababu Namwamba who is the Sports minister.

There are conflicting reports whether Education minister Mutula Kilonzo, the new Makueni senator, will resign or not.